Pardoned by grace even when behind the wire

Lindsay Owens, Washington Times-Herald, Ind.
·3 min read

Oct. 28—Scott Highberger started drinking and doing drugs at a young age. By the time the northern Indiana native was 12, he'd already been arrested.

"I was in and out of detention centers and by the time I turned 17, I was in and out of adult jail," said Highberger who now resides in Washington with his wife, Dannielle. "I was spending more time on the inside than I was on the outside. I lived my life that way for 22 years."

In 2005, things started to change for Highberger. He found Christ while serving time behind the wire and he's never looked back, only forward in his mission to help others.

"I had 35 arrests, eight felony convictions and five prison terms," said Highberger, who along with his wife served at Road to Life Church Northwest Indiana as the outreach/prison pastors from 2012-2020.

Around 18 months ago, the couple who serve in prison ministry with Pastor Pete Aldrich at the Lighthouse Recovery Centers and Victory Community Church, moved to Washington.

That move was the result of a chance meeting the couple had while ministering.

"We had someone we met while ministering that moved to Washington," said Highberger. "We just fell in love with the town."

Wanting to help others, Highberger joined forces with Donna K. Rice to write his story,"Behind the Wire: A Prisoners Journey to the Pulpit."

"The book is something I hope really helps people," said Highberger who distributes the book to those he ministers to. "I want to help prisoners and others too, find true freedom in Christ."

Every chapter is a devotional.

"Each one is on a different topic and I talk about what I did to get out underneath that wire," he said.

His story will also come to life on the big screen in the coming months when Joey Lawrence and Brian W. Smith in "Pardoned By Grace."

"The filming of the movie took place around two years ago and it will be released soon," said Highberger who hopes the film will also help those realize they can overcome destructive lifestyles.

But on Saturday, the Highbergers will start a new journey when the officially launch Behind the Wire Ministries.

"This is a non-profit we are starting and we will be going out of the church. And Behind the Wire is an expression used by prisoners but it has more meaning. Some of us can be in an invisible prison that some don't even know they are behind. The way out of that at least in my life, has been Christ."

Highberger said the ministry believes that restoration begins through uncovering and addressing unhealthy cycles and replacing them with good habits based on the word of God.

"Now that I've committed myself to Christ, all these wonderful things have happened. I want that for others too," he said.

Saturday's launch party will run from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Eastside Park.

"We will have the book there as well as soon of our other merchandise," said Highberger, adding the event is free and open to the public. "We will also have music from Down Through the Roof."

For more information visit https://www.behindthewireministries.org.